Padded limb compression sleeve

ABSTRACT

A compression based foundation having strategically paced padding to guard against the types of injuries most usually sustained during obstacle course racing is provided. Also provided is an energy supplement storage garment where energy supplements are within easy reach during active racing conditions.

BACKGROUND

Starting in 2010, leading obstacle course race (OCR) organizers held the first ever OCR events in the United States. At that time courses were laid out with light to moderate physical challenges such as climbing over small walls, crawling through tunnels, and carrying buckets filled with stone. The general recommendations issued for race day were to wear clothes and sneakers one could throw away and a new set of clothes and shoes to put on afterwards as races typically include significant amounts of contact with mud and dirt. The use of protective gear was frowned upon by fellow racers as a sign of weakness, nor was it really needed in these early race courses. Numerous OCR events were held without injury to racers.

Over time a notable trend occurred—obstacle course race challenges became much more dangerous. The human spirit is always pushing its limits and wanting to overcome bigger challenges. OCR organizers took notice of the desires of participants for harder challenges and raised the bar of difficulty each year. Presently, this young sport is taking the world by storm and championships are now held worldwide. It is now the norm to see competitors climbing ropes 20 feet high, scaling cliff-side rocky terrain, traversing ropes across bodies of water, crawling under barbed wire and even leaping over tractor dug trenches or stacks of wood on fire. Many events take place at ski resorts year round testing the endurance of each racer by breaking down the body through extended, rugged and elevated distances. This has made current race courses significantly more dangerous and caused numerous injuries amongst participants as well as increasing their level of fatigue—itself a cause of injury due to participant error and physiological conditions.

Obstacle Course Races can average anywhere from 3.5 to 13.5 miles. Since many courses are laid out through woods and mountains, it is difficult to provide nutrients throughout the event, forcing racer to carry their own supplies. Often, due to the difficulty of the course, energy foods such as energy gel packs carried in the pockets of racers fall out during the race.

Currently, there is no product dedicated specifically to protecting the OCR participant against such injuries and fatigue. What is needed is a protective product dedicated specifically to protecting the OCR participant against light injury and fatigue without hampering their ability to race competitively. The new “Padded Limb Compression Sleeve” from Obstacle Guard can now assist OCR participants to compete at the top of their game by filling this unmet need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the foregoing and other objects are achieved with the invention as follows:

In one aspect, the invention is in a compression based foundation having strategically paced padding to guard against the types of injuries most usually sustained during obstacle course racing.

In another aspect, the invention is in an energy supplement storage garment where energy supplements are within easy reach during active racing conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an arm sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of an arm sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a leg sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of a leg sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed, inter alia, to provision of a protective, fatigue reducing racing garment for obstacle course racing where mobility is not adversely impacted. When worn, the protective, fatigue reducing racing garment prevents injury to areas of the limbs and reduces fatigue during racing. A further central feature of the invention is the provision for energy supplement storage.

By way of overview, in a protective, fatigue reducing racing garment of the invention there is (i) a compression shell, (ii) padding and (iii) an energy storage system. Generally speaking, the compression shell is formed of an elastic material. The padding is formed of a suitably flexible but still protective material capable of absorbing impacts. the energy storage system comprises a compartment located on the compression shell within easy hand reach of a running individual.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the present invention, an arm unit 100 has an arm compression shell 101 which encases a human arm, preferably from the bicep to the wrist, covering the wrist bone (or just above the wrist). Arm compression shell 101 has two openings, a hand opening 102 and an upper arm opening 103. Hand opening 102 and upper arm opening 103 are configured to form a water tight seal around the arm of the wearer. Such water tight seal is preferably accomplished by two tight elastic closures 104, one located at each of hand opening 102 and upper arm opening 103. Preferably, the arm compression shell 101 is made of an elastic fabric material with a weight of 200 gsm (grams per square meter). Suitable fabrics include LYCRA® and TACTEL®, CORDURA® and preferably a fabric having 8% spandex and 92% Polyester. Most preferably fabrics having UV blocking properties, air permeability and water wicking ability are selected, for example the previously mentioned fabric having 8% spandex and 92% Polyester with water wicking ability. For example, fabrics which remove moisture via capillary action may be used, examples of which include polyester, polyethylene, and microfiber-based fabrics.

The arm unit 100 has strategically placed padding zones 105 covering the elbow 105A and forearm 105B. The padding may be any suitable lightweight padding, preferably EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam of 10 mm thickness is used though other suitable padding materials are EPE (expanded polyethylene) foam, neoprene or silicone gel padding or even a hard shell PVC. EVA foam is preferred because its density and tear strength values stand at five or more times that of EPE foam. EVA foam is also preferred as more resilient than EPE, with the former's tensile strength exceeding that of the latter by as much as several orders of magnitude. The elbow padding zone 105A and forearm padding zone 105B are preferably not solid regions, but is instead divided into a series of shaped pads so as to maximize flexibility while retaining protection of the covered region. Most preferably elbow padding zone 105A is composed of 13 pads with the largest pad at the upper end of the elbow joint and a roughly rectangular pad covering the point of the elbow. The spacing between the pads is arranged such that the joint is easily flexed, with the arrangement of pads preferably spanning 100.6 mm in length and 85.6 mm in width at the largest spans. Most preferably the pads form a series of trapezoids, triangles and polygonal shapes arranged as in FIG. 1, preferably having rounded edges. Similarly, the forearm padding zone is broken into a series of pads, most preferably 5 substantially rectangular pads so as to allow for rotation of the forearm while retaining padding over the forearm and maintaining a snug fit of the arm unit (e.g. the forearm does not rotate within the garment, instead the garment rotates with the forearm).

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the present invention, elbow padding zone 105A includes 13 pads, 105A.1-105A.13 bounded by grooves allowing for rotation and bending of the elbow joint. Pad 105A.1 is trapezoidal, with sides measuring top side 6.5 cm, bottom side 3.5 cm, and right and left sides 3.0 cm and located in the upper middle of the padding zone 105A such that it covers the upper portion of the elbow joint. Pad 105A.2 is rectangular, with side measuring 2.3 cm top and bottom and 2.0 cm left and right and located below pad 105A.1 such that it covers the point of the elbow joint. Pads 105A.3-5 are rectangular, with sides measuring 2.3 cm top and bottom and 0.6 cm left and right and located below pad 105A.2. Along the left side of the middle run of pads 105A.1-105A.5 and below the left side of trapezoidal pad 105A.1 a series of 4 pads 105A.6-105A.9 are located such that they allow for rotation and bending of the elbow joint. Pad 105A.6 is located adjacent to and below pad 105A.1's left side and is parallelogram-like in shape with sides measuring 2.2 cm by 1.0 cm. Beneath pad 105A.6 is pad 105A.7 which is trapezoidal with sides measuring 2.2 cm by 2.2 cm by 2.0 cm by 0.4 cm. Beneath pad 105A.7 is a rectangular pad 105A.8 with sides measuring 2.0 cm by 0.5 cm. Beneath pad 105A.8 is a triangular pad 105A.9 with sides measuring 0.8 cm by 1.0 cm by 1.3 cm. Along the right of the middle run of pads 105A.1-105A.5 and below the right side of trapezoidal pad 105A.1 a series of 4 pads 105A.10-105A.13, which match and are the mirror image of pads 105A.6-105A.9 are located such that they allow for rotation and bending of the elbow joint.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, forearm padding zone 105B includes 5 substantially rectangular pads 105B.1-105B.5 bounded by grooves allowing for rotation of the forearm. Pads 105B.1-105B.5 measure 13.5 cm by 2.0 cm and are located upon the forearm starting above the wrist bone. Forearm padding zone 105B preferably measures 133.4 mm by 47.6 mm at the largest spans.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in embodiments of the present invention, the arm unit 100 further includes a storage compartment 106. Preferably storage compartment 106 is capable of being opened and closed repeatedly in muddy or dirty conditions. Therefore, most preferably the closure is an overlapping sewn in fold. Preferably the storage compartment 106 can store up to four energy gel packs and is located on the bicep to provide easy access while racing. Similarly, the leg unit 200 described below, may also have a storage compartment 106, preferably located near the top of the leg unit 200 as shown in FIG. 4.

Turning now to FIG. 3, in an embodiment of the present invention, a leg unit 200 has an arm compression shell 201 which encases a human leg, preferably from the thigh to the ankle, covering the ankle bone (or just above the ankle bone). Leg compression shell 201 has two openings, a foot opening 202 and an upper leg opening 203. Foot opening 202 and upper leg opening 203 are configured to form a water tight seal around the leg of the wearer. Such water tight seal is preferably accomplished by two tight elastic closures 204, one located at each of foot opening 202 and upper leg opening 203. Preferably, the leg compression shell 201 is made of an elastic fabric material with a weight of 200 gsm (grams per square meter). Suitable fabrics include LYCRA® and

TACTEL®, CORDURA® and preferably a fabric having 8% spandex and 92% Polyester. Most preferably fabrics having UV blocking properties, air permeability and water wicking ability are selected, for example the previously mentioned fabric having 8% spandex and 92% Polyester with water wicking ability. For example, fabrics which remove moisture via capillary action may be used, examples of which include polyester, polyethylene, and microfiber-based fabrics.

The leg unit 200 has strategically placed padding zones 205 covering the knee 205A and shin 205B. The padding may be any suitable lightweight padding, preferably EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam of 10 mm thickness is used though other suitable padding materials are EPE (expanded polyethylene) foam, neoprene, or silicone gel padding or even a hard shell PVC. EVA foam is preferred because its density and tear strength values stand at five or more times that of EPE foam. EVA foam is also preferred as more resilient than EPE, with the former's tensile strength exceeding that of the latter by as much as several orders of magnitude. The knee padding zone 205A and shin padding zone 105B are preferably not solid regions, but is instead divided into a series of shaped pads so as to maximize flexibility while retaining protection of the covered region. Most preferably knee padding zone 205A is composed of 11 pads with the largest pad at the upper end of the knee joint and a roughly V-shaped pad and series of rectangular pads covering the point of the knee and below. The spacing between the pads is arranged such that the joint is easily flexed, with the arrangement of pads preferably spanning 164.2 mm in maximal length and 118.9 mm in maximal width. Most preferably the pads form a series of trapezoids, triangles and polygonal shapes arranged as in FIG. 1, preferably having rounded edges. Similarly, the shin padding zone is broken into a series of pads, most preferably 5 substantially rectangular pads so as to allow for flexing of the shin area muscles and bones while retaining padding over the shin and maintaining a snug fit of the leg unit.

Referring again to FIG. 3, in an embodiment of the present invention, knee padding zone 205A includes 11 pads, 205A.1-205A.11 bounded by grooves allowing for rotation and bending of the knee joint. Pad 205A.1 is trapezoidal, with sides measuring top side 9.5 cm, bottom side 4.4 cm, and right and left sides 4.5 cm and located in the upper middle of the padding zone 205A such that it covers the upper portion of the knee joint. Pad 205A.2 is an 8 sided polygon made of a winged rectangle which tracks the bottom contours of pad 205A.1 and measures 10 cm across its maximum length and has a maximal width of 3.0 cm. Pads 205A.3-205A.5 lie below pad 205A.2, are rectangular and measure 3.5 by 1.7 cm. The middle run of pads are flanked by on either side by 3 polygonal pads 205A.6, 205A.7, 205A.8, 205A.9, 205A.10 and 205A.11. Pads 205A.7 and 205A.9 are 5 sided polygons with sides measuring 4.0 cm (located parallel to pad 205 a. 2's bottom right/left edge), 3.0 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.8 cm and 1.4 cm. Pads 205A.7 and 205A.10 are substantially rectangular measuring 1.5 cm by 1.0 cm. Pads 205A.8 and 205A.11 are triangular with dimensions of 2.0 cm by 2.3 cm by 3.0 cm. All of which are located such that they allow for rotation and bending of the knee joint.

The shin padding zone 205B includes five pads 205B.1-205B.5 which are largely rectangular and bounded by grooves allowing for movement of the shins Pads 205B.1-205B.5 have maximal dimensions of 5.0 cm by 2.2 cm and are located upon the shin.

Measurements of the aforementioned pads 105A.1-105A.13, 105B.1-105B.5, 205A.1-205A.11 and 205B.1-205B.5 are necessarily somewhat approximate as the pads have rounded edging and are deformed due to pressure applied by the fabric topping which sandwiches the pads to the sleeve.

While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the aspects above stated, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A protective garment comprising: (a) an elastic compressive tubular sleeve having two openings, (b) padding wherein said padding covers a body part and flexes or rotates with the covered body part during obstacle course racing, and (c) a storage compartment.
 2. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein the padding comprises one or more padding zones and said padding zones comprise multiple pads.
 3. The protective garment of claim 2 wherein the padding zones comprise elbow, forearm, knee and shin padding.
 4. The protective garment of claim 3 wherein the elbow padding comprises 13 pads separated by grooves.
 5. The protective garment of claim 3 wherein the forearm padding comprises 5 pads separated by grooves.
 6. The protective garment of claim 3 wherein the knee padding comprises 11 pads separated by grooves.
 7. The protective garment of claim 3 wherein the shin padding comprises 5 pads separated by grooves.
 8. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein the elastic compressive tubular sleeve has watertight closures.
 9. The protective garment of claim 8 wherein the watertight closures are elastic bands.
 10. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein the storage compartment is able to open and close while exposed to mud, dirt and debris or a combination thereof.
 11. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein the elastic tubular sleeve is 8% spandex and 92% polyester.
 12. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein the padding is EVA or EPE.
 13. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein the padding is situated between two layers of fabric.
 14. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein the elastic tubular sleeve is a compression garment. 